Most people today don't think it makes sense to tell the truth all the time. Many claim they could not compete successfully without some dishonesty. We view advertisements everyday that exaggerate their products or misrepresent them. Though politicians are supposed to be looking after the public's welfare, many people view them as untrustworthy. When younger ones see so much dishonesty among adults, they often follow the same course. Many cheat on tests in school, and skip classes. They may brag to their friends painting false pictures of what they are or what they have done. At home, they may even deceive their parents, answering their questions with half-truths. To get money or permission to do something, they may shower their parent with insincere affection or money. Many young people feel they are justified in doing this. Why? It may be true that their parents may teach them that it is wrong to lie. They may see their parents misrepresent facts to get out of some unpleasant situation, or to avoid paying some bill, debt or tax. Have you noticed that some parents will even tell their children to lie for them in giving excuses. When conditions like this keep happening what encouragement is there for young people or any of us to try our best to be honest in all things?

Those who strive to be honest are subjected to intense pressure in the following areas:

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Personal Temptation.

Who wouldn't enjoy having more money or added luxuries? When presented with opportunities for dishonest financial gain, it can be hard to resist. One man admitted he awards contracts on behalf of his company. Offers of bribes are common. The lure of easy money is a strong one.

In recent years, businesses in the world have struggled with poor economic conditions. They cope with rapidly changing technology and increased regional and global competition. Employees may feel that resorting to being dishonest is the only way to meet performance goals set by owners and managers.

Co-workers or customers may at times ask you to join them in dishonest schemes. A manager of a major client approached a man and said that he would lose his company if he didn't pay him his share of the business, essentially a kickback.

In some places it is customary for business transactions to be accompanied by giving and receiving gifts. Depending on the size and circumstances,the boundaries of honest business practices can easily become obscured. In many lands, crooked officials demand money before performing their duties and willingly accept payment in exchange for special treatment.

Those who live in severe poverty or in countries where there has been a severe breakdown in civil order face the greatest pressure of all. In such environments those that are willing to cheat or steal may be viewed as poor providers for their families. Being dishonest is thought to be normal, necessary, and acceptable as long as you're not caught. Is it necessary to resort to dishonest business practices to succeed in business? Your reputation for honesty affects your success whether you are aware of it or not. An example of a man who started working for his employers said they subjected his honesty and integrity to a series of tests without his knowledge. As he later came to know, he passed. As a result, he had been given more responsibility and freedom and the owners have rewarded me for being honest. His job has been secure because of the trust his employers have in him.

When a struggling business faces failure, the pressure to be dishonest is great. But such circumstances can also show the value of an honest reputation. Consider the example of Bill, whose construction business failed during the downturn in the housing industry in the United States. He said that a number of their large customers went out of business owing us hundreds of thousands of dollars. When things began to look hopeless,he approached a competitor to see if they would hire any of them. Within 48 hours of the meeting, they offered to hire him, and most of the employees. He was told that his reputation for good service and honesty was well known. These two experiences related above are Jehovah's Witnesses. Their business standards like all other aspects of their lives are based on the bible. Rather than hindering their business success, their honesty has brought them practical benefits.

Honesty Brings True Success.

We know earning an income is a necessary part of life. We do have a responsibility before God to provide for ourselves and our families. (1 Timothy 5:8) But what if obtaining money becomes more than just a means of sustaining life? What if it becomes your main purpose in life? Those whose primary objective is to gain wealth find it easier to resort to dishonesty to get it. They may not realize until it is too late that not telling the truth can rob them of true success. The bible says the love of money causes many pains. (1 Timothy 6:9-10) Take a look at the four examples of people who define success as more than acquiring wealth.

Self Respect

Don, interviewed a prospective client who wanted to purchase a million dollar life insurance policy. His commission would have been thousands of dollars. He told him that to gain his business, He would have to give him half of it. What he was asking was unethical and illegal, and he told him so. He tried to reason with him by asking if he would really want to give his confidential personal and financial information to someone who was dishonest. He had restated his position and told the man to contact him if he wanted him as his agent. He never heard from him again. He said if he had agreed with his offer, his personal integrity would have been undermined and his self-respect as a Christian shattered. (Source: http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102012004 )

Family Happiness

One man was self-employed in the construction industry. There were many opportunities to cheat the customers or evade paying taxes. But he had benefited from remaining honest. He commented that being truthful, involves one's entire life, not just time at work or in business. Knowing that your husband or wife will not compromise God's standards of honesty brings an added level of trust into the family. Your mate feels secure knowing that integrity is not something you put on and take off when convenient.

A Good Relationship With God

One man's work includes purchasing supplies for his company. Sales agents sometimes propose that instead of giving his company the full discount allowable, they will give him a percentage of whatever amount his business purchases. But he said this would be a form of stealing from his company. He said he earns a modest income, and he sure could use the additional money. But he commented that nothing could compare to a clean conscience and an approved standing before God. So in every transaction he follows the bible principle at Hebrews 13:18, which says to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.

Tips Tricks & Warnings

Questions and Answers

Examples of honest successful people?

There are ample examples of honest and successful people such as JRD Tata, Dhirubai Ambani, Bill Gates, Mark Zukerberg, Larry Page, Steve Jobs. In fact, all the people in Bollywood and Hollywood have worked hard with honesty to get where they are. For instance, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Sylvester Stallone, Jenifer Anniston etc.

Why is honesty practical?

The main reason why honesty is considered practical by most people is that it actually creates Windows of opportunities. A good example is when an employee is being honest on his job, he can easily gain his co-workers and boss trust making him a good candidate for job promotion and bonuses. On the contrary, if an employee is not honest on his job, it will only create problems on his relationship toward his coworkers or even leads to job demotion or suspension.

You can also apply honesty outside your work by numerous means. Another good example is by returning a lost item to its rightful owner. You'll never know what blessings will bring you if you return it to its owner. You may find yourself finding your ideal partner, the owner owns a big company or the owner may someday repay your kindness back when you least expect it.

By simply practicing and incorporating honesty on our daily lives, we are creating Windows of opportunities that may greatly help us in achieving our goal giving us true success.

Honesty is practical because it the perfect way of living or the way that is proposed to all of us upon birth. Honesty is supposed to be a factor that every lives by but this is impossible for at least one time in our lives we have lied or exaggerated the truth.

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